Hi there and welcome to the BrisStyle Inc. community blog. BrisStyle Inc. is a community group of artists and crafters who live in and around Brisbane. We work to provide support and creative opportunities for our members through workshops, business and creative development sessions, markets (come and meet the makers), exhibitions and social get-togethers. Head over to our website www.brisstyle.com.au for more information.

Tracey is bringing to Brisbane a gorgeous and inspiring shopping experience, a real treat in Hawthorne!

Image courtesy Sandrine Marsh on behalf of Brisstyle

Please, make yourself a cup of tea and welcome Tracey Hopper's inspiring Story with us!

Image courtesy Sandrine Marsh on behalf of Brisstyle

Tracey tell us a little about your
background and what path led you to openSide Street Vintage?

I grew up in the 70’s with recycling and crafting as
a part of my everyday life; my mum and her remarkable crafty skills were and
still are a great inspiration to both myself and my sisters. It was with encouragement from the lovely
Simone from ‘Beach Vintage’, I started my own crafty label ‘Denim Days’ in
2005. Once I began selling my products to a few stores around Bulimba, I was
introduced to Etsy, where I heard about a lovely group of crafters called
brisStyle and got connected to this wonderful network of creative Brisbanites.
After the success of opening a small shop in the Woolloongabba Antique Centre,
my husband and I decided to combine our love of vintage with our crafty
pursuits and open our new shop, ‘Side Street Vintage’.

Side Street Vintage is a bit of a mix of mine and my husband’s interests,
but I think it’s one that works well together. We sell lovely pieces of
refurbished vintage furniture, handmade goodies and crafty supplies. Much to my
seventeen year old’s disgust, I like to think of my Side Street Vintage as my
new baby, since she is getting too old to need her poor old Mum…ha!ha!

Our shop
is tucked away down a side street in Hawthorne and after throwing a few names
out there to our family and friends, this one was the popular choice. We think
it has a nice ring to it!

How does Side StreetVintage support independent artists and crafters and/or the handmade
community?

Weare all for everything handmade and want to
offer a permanent market space for everyone to buy and/or sell handmade wares.
We invite all crafters to have a go at selling their handmade goodies at Side
Street Vintage on a consignment basis and we host casual and inexpensive crafty
classes aimed at teaching new skills. (pop in to the shop or see our website
for more information!) Also, if you have a craft group or would like to start
one we offer a lovely space to meetup with lots of crafty tools and tea and coffee facilities.

We have a really lovely outdoor space, so are
planning on holding a mini market for some great handmade Christmas shopping,
watch for details around the end of October.

Image courtesy Sandrine Marsh on behalf of Brisstyle

What does a typical day at
work involve for you?

I just love going to work, my day goes so quickly! I get chat to lovely
like minded people and craft the day away if I like(not much paperwork gets
done on those days, but hey there is always tomorrow!).

Image courtesy Sandrine Marsh on behalf of Brisstyle

What is your favourite item
in the shop at the moment?

So hard to pick a favourite as we get new stock nearly everyday, but I am
a bit partial to mushrooms, so love our new ceramic mushrooms, made by Debz J.

Image Courtesy Side Street Vintage

More details ...

Contact number:

07 3399 2729

Address:

5/85 Riding Rd Hawthorne entrance
in Monmouth st,

Opening hours:

Monday closed

Tuesday 9.30-5.00

Wednesday 9.30-5.00

Thursday 9.30-5.00

Friday 9.30-5.00

Saturday 9.30-4.00

Sunday 10.00-3.00

Thank you so much Tracey for taking the time to answer our little questions